Herrera, Franco starting to move past slumps

Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco had a collection of clutch hits Sunday afternoon in a 9-7 victory over the Giants at Citizens Bank Park, helping the Phillies win back-to-back games for the first time since a six-game winning streak April 20-27 and their first series victory since April 26-27. Herrera had two doubles, one home run and three RBIs. Franco hit a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning.

Odubel Herrera and Maikel Franco had a collection of clutch hits Sunday afternoon in a 9-7 victory over the Giants at Citizens Bank Park, helping the Phillies win back-to-back games for the first time since a six-game winning streak April 20-27 and their first series victory since April 26-27. Herrera had two doubles, one home run and three RBIs. Franco hit a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning.

Herrera and Franco have struggled much of the season. Herrera began Sunday 164th out of 172 qualified hitters with a .607 OPS, while Franco ranked 160th with a .636 OPS. Both players have been benched and dropped in the lineup in recent weeks. Frustrated fans have called for the pair to be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, which is something the Phillies considered with Franco.

It is a small sample size, but perhaps they are beginning to break out of their season-long funks. Franco is hitting .375 (6-for-16) with one double, one home run and one RBI in his past four games. Herrera hit .625 (5-for-8) with four doubles, one home run and six RBIs in this weekend's games against the Giants.

"I tried to be as patient as possible," Herrera said through the Phillies' interpreter. "When you go through a tough time, it is frustrating. And sometimes you have to let that frustration out. But you have to believe in yourself. I know what I'm supposed to do. I know what I have to do better. You have to be patient and stay positive."

Herrera is known for his prodigious bat flips, which seems to agitate more than a few old-school baseball fans and lifers. So it is worth nothing that Herrera very gently dropped his bat when he homered in the fifth inning against Giants right-hander George Kontos.

"I learned my lesson from yesterday," Herrera said with a smile. "I thought I hit one out of the park and it didn't go out."

"That's what makes this whole thing better," Herrera said about Franco homering in a big spot in the game. "When he starts being productive, the whole team is better. And that's what this is all about. It's a team effort."